nuclear-news

New Radiological Protection Act and progress on nuclear phase-out in Germany

Published: 27/01/2017 21:04 CET

The Federal Cabinet recently adopted a draft radiation protection law on the proposal of the Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks. This is to improve the radiological emergency protection of the Federal Government and the federal states in German-speaking countries.

Hendricks: “Radiation protection is of great importance for human health and relevance to many areas of life. With the modernized and expanded regulatory framework, we have a reliable basis for a comprehensive protection of citizens against ionizing radiation. In the case of emergency radiological protection, we are creating a modern management system with which we can cover a large number of emergency scenarios – including major accidents in nuclear power plants “.

Until now, the radiation protection law was regulated by the Radiation Protection Ordinance and the X-ray Ordinance based on the Atomic Energy Act. In order to implement an EU directive, all areas of protection against ionizing radiation have now been consolidated for the first time in a single law. The law is to be passed before the Bundestag election. It would require the consent of the Bundestag and the Federal Council, as soon as this is available, this regulation could enter into force later this year. Other new arrangements for the implementation of Euratom directives at the level of regulation are to enter into force by the end of 2018.

Almost six after Fukushima and the decision to accelerate the nuclear phase, there seems to be a new phase. For the first time since the nuclear phase-out decision of 2011, a nuclear power plant in Germany has received a decommissioning permit. Work on the decommissioning and dismantling of the plant can now begin at the Isar 1 nuclear power plant.

Source in German – http://www.huffingtonpost.de/oliver-lippert/neues-strahlenschutzgeset_b_14441130.html?utm_hp_ref=germany&ir=Germany

Some highlights of a report from  2013 on some of the changes (including revising health advise from radiological natural and contamination sources here;

Major new provisions, also based on German negotiating positions, include:

• improved radiation protection against the natural presence of radioactive substances which under certain circumstances can pose a risk to human health;
• measures including an action plan for the protection against radon, a naturally present inert gas which can cause lung cancer;
• provisions to regulate radiological pollution legacies;
• detailed provisions for contingency plans and better cooperation among member states to harmonise action in case of emergencies;
• clear provisions for medical x-ray check-ups to prevent unnecessary x-ray examinations.

The successful conclusion of negotiations is a first step towards a new EU-wide radiation legislation….  http://www.bmub.bund.de/en/press/press-releases/detailansicht-en/artikel/european-radiation-protection-law-undergoes-high-level-revision/

January 27, 2017 - Posted by arclight2011part2 | Uncategorized